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ROME (REUTERS) - Tests on beef products in Italy have found that one in five contain more than 1 per cent horse meat, the Italian Health Ministry said on Monday.
Italy launched an inspection of the sector in response to the scandal of horse meat in products labelled as beef that has spread across Europe since January, prompting product withdrawals and worrying consumers.
Italian police inspected 454 samples of products advertised as beef without any mention of horse meat, and found that 93 tested positive for horse meat traces above 1 per cent, which should have been declared, the ministry said.
The products it tested were of both national and foreign origin, the ministry said.
Italy said it had sent the findings to the European Commission, which is due to publish EU-wide data on Tuesday.
Farmers lobby Coldiretti said the results had unveiled a "global scam" and "a scandal without precedent".
It said the inspection highlighted "the widespread movement of meat that goes from one end of Europe to the next through opaque exchanges that spawns fraud and deception to the detriment of businesses and consumers".
The tests found no traces of the horse pain-killing drug phenylbutazone, which has been found during inspections elsewhere in Europe.
The drug can be harmful to humans in very high concentrations and is banned from entering the human food chain.


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Chanel concerned over regulatory changes to fragrance formulation
Luxury fragrance houses such as Chanel, Dior and Guerlain are concerned that their perfumes might be altered in terms of odour and / or development if the EC follows through with the recommendations published back in July by the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS).
Industry concerns
Then, the Committee had estimated that between 1 and 3 per cent of European consumers were either allergic or potentially allergic to the ingredients present in perfumes, and advised a restriction on concentrations of 12 ingredients to 0.01 per cent of the finished product.
Some of the ingredients in question include citral, found in lemon and tangerine oils; coumarin; and eugenol, found in rose oil, while an outright ban was called for tree and oak moss, common ingredients found in Chanel's No.5 and Miss Dior.
According to Francoise Montenay, non-executive president of Chanel, the new regulation will signal "the end of magnificent perfumes" if certain ingredients are prohibted.
LVMH is also said to have expressed concern on the issue, while a spokesman for the international industry organisation (IFRA) reveals that the ingredients targeted will represent and affect the core of about 90 per cent of deluxe perfumes on the market.
EC weighing up the matter...
Currently, the EU Commission is said to be in talks with industry professionals to assess the recommendation and it's potential impact.
Infact spokesman for health and consumer policy, Frédéric Vincent has spoken out amist recent reports to insist that it was "false to say that the European Commission wants to ban Chanel 5" and that "we are still a long way from considering changes to the legislation."
Further adding that; "Perfume and cosmetic makers know what we are doing ... The legislative process has not begun and it will not be for tomorrow."
Elsewhere, trade associations including the IFRA and Cosmetics Europe, are said to be aiming to submit a joint industry proposal to the EC by the end of the year.
Click here to view the SCCS's opinion on fragrance allergens in cosmetics.

subset: commoncrawl


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The U.S. shuttle program will end after space shuttle Atlantis returns to Earth on July 21. Retired NASA astronaut Leroy Chiao captured this reality on All Things Considered:
"After this mission, we will no longer have the ability to send American astronauts into space ourselves," Chiao said. "And arguably, we will no longer be the leaders in human space flight until we get that capability back."
Arguably, the leader in space flight will, for now, be Russia. American astronauts will rely solely on the Russian Soyuz spacecraft to reach orbit. After years of space rivalry between the two sides, this might seem like a time for Russians to feel pride. But not all Russians see it that way.
On April 12, 1961, five days before the Bay of Pigs invasion, Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space. "American prestige was jolted as the world heard the quickened pulse of Vostok 1 orbiting the Earth," Walter Cronkite recalled. Gagarin got a hero's welcome in Moscow's Red Square — he had given the Soviets the lead in the space race.
Five decades later, a towering statue of the man stands in south Moscow's Yuri Gagarin Square.
"People call it 'the penguin' because if you look, it looks like a penguin," says Yuri Karash, who has studied and written about Russian space policy for years. He remembers how Gagarin's adventure gave citizens a feeling that their sacrifice for the state was worth it.
"America could not do it, OK? Western Europe could not do it. No other country in the world could do it," Karash says. "But the Soviet state could."
Russia's Opportunity?
Today feels different. Yes, the U.S. shuttle program is ending and Americans will depend on Russian technology. But many Russians sound melancholy. They believe it won't be long before the U.S. develops a new spacecraft that will beat anything Russia has.
Karash captures the sentiment this way: What if a Mercedes broke down in the desert? The driver would find another reliable ride, until he got his hands on a new Mercedes.
"So you suddenly see a Bedouin riding a camel on the shoulder and you ask him, 'Hey, guy, do me a favor, give me a lift to someplace.' And he says, 'No problem. Pay me $63 million and I'll take you there.' Does it mean camel is better than Mercedes?"
Just a few steps away from Gagarin's statue is a little mall that is full of vendors who sell things such as carpets and kitchen supplies. The people who work in the mall walk past the statue of the Soviet space hero every day.
For 38-year-old Igor Malashkevich, who sells tools in the mall, the glory embodied in that statue has faded. On the world stage today, he feels like Russia is weaker than during Soviet times. He says his country needs more respect from the U.S. Maybe, he says, carrying Americans to space is Russia's opportunity.
"I don't think there is something we can be proud of about it, because we are dependent on the States in many other ways and many respects," Malashkevich says.
A Friend To The West
This kind of talk is not uncommon in Russia today. After feeling technologically superior in Soviet times, today, some Russians feel their military is in disrepair, scientists are cash-strapped and the space program has fallen behind.
Vera Kuznetsova, who sells kitchen supplies, was born the year Gagarin made that first orbit.
"We were first and could not be beaten," she said. "But that was the Soviet Union." She feels her country now lags behind in science and technology, but adds that she's happy her country is no longer feared by the West.
That was the theme Thursday when a new statue of Gagarin was unveiled — not in Moscow, but in London, near Buckingham Palace, right by a statue of the great British explorer James Cook.
Sergei Krikalyov, who heads Russia's Gagarin Center for Cosmonaut Training, was there for the unveiling. He called the setting appropriate.
"Captain Cook, who was a navigator on Earth, and Gagarin, who was first navigator outside our planet, are standing looking at each other. I think it's very symbolic," Krikalyov says.
It's a symbol, he said, that Russia is no longer a rival to the West, but a friend — and a reliable ride into space.
Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.


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Before & After: The Beverly Grove Renovation
Seeing potential. Not everyone has this gift to see beyond an aged surface, weathered finishes, a far from perfect interior space, or even damaged furnishings. But Greg and Alexandra certainly do, (no big surprise considering the couple operate home renovation specialty service, ModOp Design, while Alexandra is also a notable textile designer and interior stylist) extending their talents to make a Los Angeles house their very own home…
Owners Greg and Alexandra share some insight about the history of the home and their renovation:
Lots of interesting history on this house. It was built in 1926 and we are the third owners. The original owner lived here for over 40 years and gave the house to his caretaker who lived here for another 40+ years. She had inherited some of the original furniture. So, when we bought the house from her children, I asked for some of the original pieces.The mahogany post bed and dresser in the guest bedroom for example. I refinished it myself and found a photo of the original owners laundry business in the bottom drawer!
I reupholstered the wingback chair that was in the living room with my own textile design, printed on upholstery weight cotton. And I had the original wood desk in the office painted and refinished by Jessica at 'Disregarden' who I found at the Fairfax flea market. I re-painted and re-wired the dining room and breakfast room chandeliers and moved them to the bedrooms.
As far as the house goes, we restored all the original wood work – the beamed ceiling in the living room and dining room, the built in book cases and the front door were all stripped of the antique faux finish they had and were carefully stained. We restored the original windows which was a ton of work and put in new oak floors (the original floors were too far gone).
We used Heath accent tile and Granada floor tiles in the bathrooms and had our carpenter built custom kitchen cabinets and bathroom vanities. We had to widen the original doorways to bring them up to code, so we took the original doors to a salvage yard and traded them for wider doors from the same time period. And we restored the door hardware that had been covered with paint.
Thanks to Alexandra and Greg Becket
Images: Charmaine David for ModOp Design


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University of Notre Dame alumna Mary Hesburgh Flaherty, a breast cancer survivor and longtime supporter of the University, will be the featured speaker at the Pink Zone luncheon at 11 a.m. Feb. 2 (Saturday) at the Purcell Pavilion at Notre Dame. The luncheon will precede the annual Notre Dame women's basketball Pink Zone game at 2 p.m. and is organized by the College of Science to recognize researchers and physicians in the fight against cancer.
Since graduating with a bachelor's degree in marketing and business administration in 1979, Flaherty has served the University and the larger community in significant ways. She is a member of the Notre Dame Undergraduate Experience Advisory Council and has helped to develop student scholarships and funding for women's services and programs through the Thanking Father Ted Foundation. Her uncle, Rev. Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University, will introduce her at the luncheon.
Flaherty is deeply committed to providing educational opportunities and to supporting health care. She is the chair of Saint John's Hospital and Health Center board of directors, the former chair and a trustee emeritus at Marymount High School of Los Angeles, and a board member of Las Madrinas of the Children's Hospital in Los Angeles. In addition, she has served the Westside Guild of the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles since 1991, has been a member of the Irene Dunne Guild of Saint John's Health Center since 1987 and is an active member of St. Matthew's Parish. Together with her husband, Notre Dame trustee James F. Flaherty III, a 1979 graduate of the University, she established a professorship to further the work of the Notre Dame Center for Children and Families. Flaherty lives in Los Angeles with her husband, and they have three children, Jim, a 2006 and 2007 Notre Dame graduate; Mary Catherine, a 2008 Notre Dame graduate; and Maureen, a current Notre Dame junior.
The luncheon is organized by the College of Science and the Notre Dame women's basketball team in conjunction with local physicians. Physicians and researchers who fight against breast cancer daily in the hospital or in the lab will be recognized during the luncheon and the game. The women's basketball team has played a major role in funding the Pink Zone initiative. Over the past four years, the Notre Dame women's basketball team has contributed more than $450,000 to the fundraising effort.
Proceeds benefit the WBCA Pink Zone initiative, a global, unified effort of the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) to assist in raising awareness and support for women with breast cancer. The funds are dispersed among several local nonprofit organizations through the Foundation of Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center to assist with breast cancer screenings, education and support as well as the national organization Kay Yow WBCA Cancer Fund. The late Kay Yow, the Fund's namesake, was a past president and founding member of the WBCA who was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1987 and passed away in 2009.
Tickets for the luncheon, which are available by calling the Notre Dame ticket office at 574-631-7356, are $100 each, or $150 per couple. Each ticket includes the luncheon, admission to the basketball game, a pre-game chalk talk by an Irish assistant coach, and refreshments at Club Naimoli during the game.
Contact: Marissa Gebhard, 574-631-4465, firstname.lastname@example.com
Originally published by newsinfo.nd.edu on January 22, 2013.


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Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®
Zanamivir belongs to the family of medicines called antivirals, which are used to treat infections caused by viruses. Zanamivir is used in the treatment of the infection caused by the flu virus (influenza A and influenza B). This medicine may also be used to prevent and treat swine influenza A.
Zanamivir may reduce flu symptoms (weakness, headache, fever, cough, runny or stuffy nose, and sore throat) by 1 to 1.5 days. Zanamivir may also be used to prevent influenza infection if you have come into close contact with someone who has the flu.
This medicine must be started within 2 days of having flu symptoms. Zanamivir will not keep you from spreading the flu virus to other people. It may not work for everybody. Zanamivir may not be for you if you are severely sick or have a breathing problem (e.g., asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). If you receive the flu vaccine every year, continue to do so. Zanamivir is not a substitute for your yearly flu shot.
This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.
This product is available in the following dosage forms:
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of zanamivir for the treatment of influenza in children younger than 7 years of age and for the prevention of influenza in children younger than 5 years of age. Safety and efficacy have not been established in these age groups.
Note: This medicine is available in Canada. It is not recommended in children younger than 12 years of age.
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of zanamivir in the elderly. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine than younger adults, which may require caution in patients receiving zanamivir.
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. Tell your healthcare professional if you are taking any other prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicine.
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
Talk to your doctor about the possibility of getting a flu shot if you have not had one yet. This medicine works best if used as soon as possible after exposure to people who have the flu. If you already have the flu, continue using this medicine for the full time of treatment even if you begin to feel better after a few days. This will help to clear up your infection completely. If you stop using this medicine too soon, your symptoms may return. This medicine should be taken for 5 days.
Inhaled zanamivir is to be used only with a special inhaler (Diskhaler®). Do not mix this medicine with other solutions. Do not use this medicine in any nebulizer or mechanical ventilator.
This medicine usually comes with patient instructions. Read them carefully before using the medicine. If you do not understand the directions or you are not sure how to use the inhaler, ask your doctor to show you how to use it.
To load the inhaler:
To use the inhaler:
If you are also using another inhaled bronchodilator (e.g., albuterol, Atrovent®, Combivent®, or Serevent®), use it before you use zanamivir.
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
If you miss a dose or forget to use it, use it as soon as you can, except if it is less than 2 hours before your next dose. Use your next dose at the normal time. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Keep the medicine in the foil pouch until you are ready to use it. Store at room temperature, away from heat and direct light. Do not freeze.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress after treatment. This is to make sure that the infection is cleared up completely, and to allow your doctor to check for any unwanted effects.
This medicine is not a substitute for an annual flu shot. It also will not keep you or your child from getting a bacterial infection that starts with flu-like symptoms.
Zanamivir may cause people with lung disease (e.g., chronic obstructive lung disease or asthma) to have shortness of breath, trouble breathing, or wheezing. If you have these symptoms after using this medicine, stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away.
Bronchospasm (wheezing) is a risk for patients with asthma or chronic respiratory disease. Always have a fast-acting inhaled bronchodilator available for your use.
This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor right away if you or your child have itching, hives, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.
Zanamivir may cause some people, especially children and teenagers, to be agitated, irritable, or display other abnormal behaviors, which may result in injury. If you, your child, or your caregiver notice any of these side effects, tell your doctor or your child's doctor right away.
Make sure your doctor knows if you or your child plan to get the live nasal flu vaccine (FluMist®) before you start using this medicine. You should not receive the vaccine within two weeks before or 48 hours after using this medicine.
If your or your child's symptoms do not improve after you or your child finish taking the medicine, or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Original article: https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/zanamivir-inhalation-route/proper-use/drg-20066752


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Outsourcing blogging to The Onion today:
NEW YORK—According to media analysts, the nation's TV commentators and political pundits have proved uncannily accurate when describing the deeply disturbed inner thoughts of accused Arizona gunman Jared Loughner. "It's strange, but when it comes to getting inside the mind of this human being who seems to possess no empathy, sense of morality, or hold on reality, and who is motivated only by personal animus and self-glorification, the nation's major political pundits have been amazingly adept," said Horizon Media analyst Bob Cullen, who has studied extensive tape of commentators on all major TV news programs and found their remarks on "what the killer is thinking" to be consistently thorough and detailed across the board. "It's almost as though they have some way of knowing, firsthand, exactly what this demented and highly dangerous individual with the eyes of millions upon him is going through." Researchers at Horizon Media also reported that a number of prominent TV pundits appeared to be mimicking the exact same chilling gleam in Loughner's eye for what they could only speculate was "dramatic effect."


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Research and Development
Research and Development
Corning is a renowned global leader in translating materials science into products that significantly improve people's lives. Our inventive capacity is second to none. By partnering with customers who are also leaders in their fields, Corning has helped to change the world through innovation for more than 150 years. A few of our notable breakthroughs include:
- delivering display glass that enables lower-cost, higher-resolution digital images for laptop and desktop computers, LCD televisions and other electronic devices;
- revolutionizing the speed and quality of voice and data communications through fiber-optic communication networks;
- increasing the pace and reducing the cost of new drug discovery with innovative labware,
- making possible cleaner-running vehicles through the development of cellular ceramic catalytic converter substrates and filters.
No other company in the world knows glass like Corning does. We have been highly successful in extending this expertise into other materials, such as specialty glass, ceramics, crystals and polymers. The strength of our unique ability lies in melding this material expertise with process understanding to consistently deliver next-generation, life-changing technologies.
An Award-Winning Culture of Innovation
At Corning, we create an environment in research and development (R&D) that enables the best scientific minds in the world to create the innovations that form the foundation of our future. We continue to reinvest approximately 10 percent of our revenues into R&D, providing our scientists with the resources they need to be successful. We thrive on change and have built a culture that enables us to remain at the forefront of the markets we serve, often working closely with our customers. Our scientists regularly share expertise across both materials and businesses, enabling us to dynamically allocate resources to the most promising opportunities.
As a catalyst of innovation, we take pride in our intellectual property – our most valuable asset. Each year our scientists apply for and receive hundreds of patents, and new products continue to account for more than 90 percent of our sales. Corning scientists are recognized around the world for their wealth of knowledge. A number of Corning employees are National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees. Additionally, as a company, we have received numerous awards of distinction, including the National Medal of Technology, not just once but four times.
Technology Development That Changes the World
Corning is not bound by traditional R&D norms. Our proven ability to meld the art of discovery with the science of development distinguishes us among technology companies. We leverage our expertise across technologies and businesses to dynamically solve complex problems to meet current and anticipated market needs. This "contrarian" approach to product development leads to break-out technologies that greatly benefit our customers, shareholders and, in many cases, the world. The depth and breadth of our technology platforms are the foundation of Corning's strength and longevity in the marketplace.
Our unique innovation process is a rigorous, highly collaborative methodology that enables us to consistently – and efficiently – develop technologies that often enable entirely new markets. Our research scientists are not just idea generators – they are partners with their colleagues in development, engineering, manufacturing and commercial operations, from the earliest idea stage through commercialization. As a result, our inventive capacity is second to none. Our passion for developing new, disruptive technologies and our unwavering commitment to innovation fuels our growth and distinguishes Corning as a true technology leader.
What does it take to Innovate?
At Corning, our culture of innovation has been more than 150 years in the making. We take tremendous pride in our people and the intellectual property they enable. Each year, Corning scientists receive hundreds of patents, evidence that we are developing breakthrough products at a rapid pace. Corning is among the corporate leaders in patents granted per dollar invested in R&D. Today, new products continue to account for more than 90 percent of our sales, demonstrating that innovation truly is the fuel of our growth engine.


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Salty Staircase in the Atlantic Provides Clues to Ocean Mixing
April 29, 2005
Layers of salty ocean water mix with layers of fresher water, creating a salty staircase or layering driven by small-scale convection known as salt fingers. Although scientists have known about salt fingers since 1960, when they were discovered at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, they have not understood their role in ocean mixing and the ability of the ocean to absorb heat, carbon dioxide and pollutants from the atmosphere. Results of a new experiment, sponsored by the National Science Foundation and reported in today's issue of Science, indicate that salt fingers are vertically mixing ocean waters more than previously thought. The finding will improve understanding of how water masses in the ocean mix, leading to better climate prediction models.
Researchers from the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) studied salt fingers by injecting a dye or tracer into the ocean, much like dyes are used in medical tests to trace bodily fluids. The tracer was released from an injection sled towed at a depth of approximately 400 meters (about 1,200 feet) from a ship in the tropical Atlantic near Barbados. Returning to the area nine months later, they found a significant vertical spread of the tracer indicating an enhanced mixing process, with salt and the tracer mixing twice as much as heat.
In this region, warm, high salinity subtropical water lies over cooler, fresher water flowing northward from Antarctica, creating a unique stratification with distinct layers of water. As many as ten to fifteen layers, each 10 to 30 meters thick (roughly 30 to 90 feet) with uniform temperature and salinity, are separated by interfaces with rapidly changing temperature and salinity, half a meter to five meters (about two to 10 feet) thick, to form a "thermohaline staircase" of sorts. The process known as salt fingers occurs at the interfaces and keeps the mixed layers uniform.
Salt fingers form because heat and salt diffuse at vastly different rates, hence the term double diffusion. Salt molecules diffuse 100 times slower than heat; the faster conduction of heat allows the unstable salt distribution to fall out on a small scale. These staircase layers have existed for decades, laid down like geologic strata over a region larger than California and Texas combined, despite the active stirring of oceanic eddies. Water mass transformations apparent within the layers can only be explained by salt fingers, but until now their strength had not been measured.
In the ocean, density increases with depth, and in combination with gravity, makes for a generally stable stratification that is difficult to mix vertically. The large-scale circulation system requires that significant vertical mixing occur somewhere in the ocean, but this mixing has been difficult to find and measure. Since oceanic mixing occurs on very small scales, from less than an inch, and on rapid time scales of a few seconds, and climate models only resolve space and time in scales of tens of miles to hours and days, it is a challenge for scientists to resolve ocean mixing rates and improve the climate models.
Because the computer power to resolve such small scales in global models is perhaps centuries away, the mixing processes will be parameterized for the foreseeable future. Careful measurements of oceanic microstructure and turbulence are leading to improved parameterizations, but there had been no way to calibrate the measurements and models until the development of the tracer release technique by WHOI Senior Scientist Jim Ledwell of the Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering Department.
Raymond Schmitt, lead author of the study and a senior scientist in the WHOI Physical Oceanography Department, has studied salt fingers for years and sought Ledwell's help to get a direct measure of the strength of mixing in the thermohaline staircase. He and colleagues conducted microstructure surveys in the western tropical North Atlantic Ocean with a sophisticated free-fall turbulence profiler while Ledwell used an injection sled to release the non-toxic tracer, sulfur hexafluoride, into the ocean in the middle of a staircase layer.
The tracer patch was sampled again nine months later to find that the tracer had mixed strongly vertically while being spread both east and west by the ocean currents. The microstructure data indicated that there was not enough ordinary turbulence to account for this dispersion, but the salt finger models worked well to explain it. The heat mixed half as much as the salt, the result expected for salt fingers. Thermohaline staircases are formed by salt fingers in laboratory experiments, but there had never been a direct measurement of their mixing strength in the ocean. Schmitt says this experimental result is the culmination of 45 years of speculation on the importance of salt fingers in oceanic mixing.
"The role of the small-scale double-diffusive processes in the ocean has always been controversial, with some modelers preferring to do all the mixing with larger-scale turbulence," Schmitt said. "Measurements show that turbulence is rather weak in most of the stratified ocean, so that double-diffusion has a chance to play a significant role. This site is one of several where the salt fingering is expected to be particularly strong, and we can see the effects of the mixing further downstream as the salinity is transferred vertically from upper to intermediate waters. That small-scale salt fingers can have such large-scale effects on the ocean structure will come as a surprise to many."
Schmitt and colleagues report that salt fingers transform the temperature and salinity structure of the surface waters entering the Caribbean Sea, increasing the salinity and density of the Antarctic Intermediate Water and preconditioning it for sinking at higher latitudes. "The tracer results are a strong confirmation of the strength of the salt fingering process. It is time that the climate modelers took double diffusion into account. While it is a more complicated mixing scenario, adding double diffusion will help to explain certain characteristics of the temperature-salinity structure of the ocean that are now artificially introduced into the models."
Salt fingers are intense and easy to study in this region of the ocean but they can occur at many places around the world. Schmitt and colleagues hope to learn enough from their data to generalize to other areas, since the pace of ocean exploration is slow. Uncertainties in oceanic mixing are one of the major impediments to understanding how the oceans absorb heat and carbon dioxide. Since the ocean contains 99.9% of the heat capacity of the climate system, improved estimates of oceanic mixing are critical for anticipating the future of Earth's climate.


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But there's an angle that provide on The Pipeline Show that doesn't get touched on by our American based counterparts, and understandably so; the Canadian perspective.
Roughly 25-30% of NCAA players are Canadian and that's one of the major reasons why college hockey is a focus for us on the radio show. Not only do Canadians play college hockey but they do it well. The list of former Canadian NCAA players in the NHL and in pro leagues around the world is as extensive as it is impressive. And more are on the way.
The following are my picks for the 2012-13 All Canadian NCAA Teams.
I've selected two teams, 12 players representing 7 different schools and 3 NCAA conferences.
Photo: Emily Green / UND Athletics |
Alex Guptill (Michigan) - The Wolverines appear set for another strong season and one of the popular choices as to why in college hockey circles is this sophomore from Ontario. Guptill had 16 goals and 33 points as a freshman under coach Red Berenson last year. The 6'3, 185 lb forward hails from Newmarket, ON. Drafted by Dallas, 3rd round, 2010.
Connor Jones (Quinnipiac) - One half of the offensively dynamic twin punch of the Bobcats, Connor is coming off a 41-points season as the top scorer at Quinnipiac. The natural question would be why Connor and not brother Kellen, the 2010 7th round draft choice of the Edmonton Oilers. Connor has outscored his brother every year since 2007-08 and even that season he played 10 fewer games for the BCHL's Vernon Vipers and was just 7 points behind. Unrestricted Free Agent.
Photo: ECAC Hockey |
Joey LaLeggia (Denver) - The diminutive Burnaby, BC product notched 38 points as a freshman last season, third highest for defencemen in NCAA hockey. Although undrafted in his first year of eligibility, that wasn't the case after proving that his BCHL stats could translate to the college game against bigger, stronger and faster opposition. It's not out of the realm of possibility that LaLeggia could lead the Pioneers in scoring and collect a ton of WCHA hardware along the way. Drafted by Edmonton, 5th round, 2012.
Photo: WCHA |
Photo: College Hockey Inc. |
Daniel Carr (Union) - A Frozen Four appearance last season for the Dutchmen has many picking Union for a strong follow up campaign this year. Carr is a Sherwood Park, Alberta product that has had back-to-back 20-goal seasons through his first two collegiate years. Can the 6'0, 195 lb winger lead the Dutchmen back to a Conference title and to Pittsburgh next April? Unrestricted Free Agent.
Matthew Peca (Quinnipiac) - He may only be 5'9 and 165 lbs but Peca packs an offensive punch. Playing for Quinnipiac was the fallback plan after not being granted a move to the QMJHL's Quebec Remparts last year but it doesn't appear to have affected his development. Peca finished second only to Conner Jones in scoring for the Bobcats and will look to improve on his point per game debut now that he is a sophomore. Drafted by Tampa Bay, 7th round, 2011.
Photo: Kory Wallen / UND Sports |
Andrew MacWilliam (North Dakota) - Speaking of leadership from the UND blueline, the captain of the former Fighting Sioux is the senior from Calgary. The big stay at home rearguard should anchor a strong club in a very difficult WCHA conference this year. At 6'2 and 230 lbs, MacWilliam is physically ready for the next level but will hone his all around game for one more year in college. Drafted by Toronto, 7th round, 2008.
Photo: Associated Press |


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Wondering how to prevent and treat stubborn breakouts – for good? Essence rounded up the best dermatologists and aestheticians to find out. Read their very own words below!
"Frequent washing irritates skin," says dermatologist Dr. Kenneth Beer. He recommends cleansing twice daily with a salicylic acid cleanser like Neutrogena Acne Wash ($6.39, drugstore.com).
Banish Bacteria
Wipe down bacteria-laden cell phones and remotes with BabyGanics Surface Wipes ($10, drugstore.com) and rid makeup brushes of oil and dirt with Clinique Makeup Brush Cleanser ($13, dillards.com).
Welcome Matte
Dermatologist Rosemarie Ingleton suggests using oil-free makeup, and liquid foundations instead of compacts. Peter Thomas Roth Mattifying Gel ($35, qvc.com) soaks up oil and removes shine.
Natural Woman
L.A. aesthetician Anastasia Soare suggests this pimple-fighting home remedy: Squeeze half a lemon in a bowl and mix in one egg white. Apply over face or body acne for five minutes, and rinse. GET THE REST HERE!
Top 3 Best Leave-In Conditioners For Natural Hair [REVIEW]


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The mix of fuels used to generate the electricity in homes, factories, and businesses across the United States has changed in the past few years as coal, still the largest single fuel used for electricity, has lost some of its share of the generation market to natural gas and non-hydroelectric renewables.
The generation mix is not uniform across the country and varies significantly by region depending on available resources and regional market prices. A periodic series of Today in Energy articles in the coming weeks will focus on the changes in fuel use for electricity generation in recent years for seven regions of the United States (see map below).
Natural gas has gained market share from coal in much of the country, but this is less true in markets closer to the cheaper Powder River Basin coal in the West. Renewable sources are generally growing, especially in Texas and the West. Petroleum-fired electricity generation has been declining for several decades, but it can play an important role at rare times when other alternatives are not available.
The method of selecting which power plants to run in a given hour (also called unit dispatch) varies by system but is generally based on the cost of operation of available power plants. A particular region's capacity, the delivered costs of fuels, and system constraints all affect the overall fuel mix in a given month. The U.S. Energy Information Administration publishes monthly data on generation by region in the Electricity Monthly Update. These regions are representative of electric markets (or groups of markets with similar characteristics), which are shown in the map below.
Principal contributor: M. Tyson Brown


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ShaderX8 is already announced. Proposals are due by May 19th, 2009. Please send them to wolf at shaderx.com. An example proposal, writing guidelines and a FAQ can be downloaded from www.shaderx6.com/ShaderX6.zip. The schedule is available on http://www.shaderx8.com/.
Thanks to Eric Haines for reminding me to add this to this page :-)


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"Saturday Night Live" cast member Fred Armisen and rock 'n' roll guitarist Carrie Brownstein first cracked up audiences as the Internet sketch-comedy duo ThunderAnt. Their latest project is this absurdist series set in Portland, Ore., that gently pokes fun at the laid-back Pacific Northwest city and the many eccentric characters that call it home. Portland's actual mayor, Sam Adams, also appears on the show, serving as an assistant to the fictional city leader played by guest star Kyle MacLachlan.
Fred Armisen,
Carrie Brownstein


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New to our site?
Save 20% on your first order!
Email Address:
First Name:
Oh my cuteness!
Hello and Welcome to my Send2Smiles Store. My name is Gerda Steiner, a self-taught artist, mom and dog-lover. You'll also find my work at www.send2smiles.com and I would be thrilled to connect with you via Facebook http://www.facebook.com/Send2Smiles
Thank you so much.
XO Gerda
Very cute cards, Gerda. You have a joyful style. Congrats on design of the day!
Cathie | September 15, 2015
Gerda, Your cards bring such a smile to me each time I see them go buy on the homepage train (and it is many, many times each week so lots of smiles for me - :) Just wanted to say Thanks for that. You are a fave artist of mine here in GCU land indeed! - Lj Maxx
Lj | November 24, 2014
I love your fall 'card of the day', very sweet X
Kate | September 23, 2013
You are so talented! I'm so glad you are part of GCU. I wish you many sales!
Gail Pepin
Gail Pepin
Gail | October 14, 2012
Gerda, I don't know how to choose a card in your store, they are all so cute!
Great job.
Inkflo, Chez Inkflo
Great job.
Inkflo, Chez Inkflo
Angela | October 13, 2012
I love you cartoon style and characters! Very nice store and cards Gerda!
John. The Village Greetings http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/thevillagegreetings
John. The Village Greetings http://www.greetingcarduniverse.com/thevillagegreetings
John | June 30, 2012
Gerda, Thank You for always making my special cards, you are great. Colleen
guest | October 21, 2011
Gerda, your art is awesome, love all these adorable faces, makes one smile.
Janet Lee @Janet Lee Designs
Janet Lee @Janet Lee Designs
Janet | September 30, 2011
wonderful cards so sweet, I'm a fan
Carole | September 21, 2011
Wow, your designs are amazing! I love how simple and artistic they are! Your work is truly inspiring :) I love your work!
Lindsey | August 16, 2011
Hi Gerda! I love your wonderful cards--so cute :) I love animal cards and yours are exceptional. Thanks also for your kind words on my cards and the idea to put my zazzle panel on my profile page :)
Sharon | August 08, 2011
ich bin immer wieder begeistert von den karten!
MARIA | July 31, 2011
Love your style and critters, you are super talented! Congratulations on your well deserved Design of the Day!
Love your style and critters, you are super talented! Congratulations on your well deserved Design of the Day!
Pamela | July 19, 2011
You go girl!!!! Well done! Your cards are so cute and really expressive! Adorable!
Peta | July 19, 2011
Gerda, you did it again! Congratulations on receiving Design of the Day!
I gave you a mention in my blog...http://www.sendfromsitecards.blogspot.com
Janet Lee
I gave you a mention in my blog...http://www.sendfromsitecards.blogspot.com
Janet Lee
Janet | July 19, 2011
Gerda, Congrats on a well deserved Design of the Day. Your cards are absolutely adorable. Love them!
Betsy | July 08, 2011
Such lovely cards, Gerda! I am so fond of your style of drawing. May I ask where you found the font that you use in most of your cards? I have been looking for a similar font but cannot find it anywhere. Many thanks and best of luck! Heather (www.greetingcarduniverse.com/myfriendfluffy)
Heather | July 08, 2011
Gerda, Your cards are adorable and refreshing. Love your style. Congrats on design of the day too.
Marie @ Naquaiya Cards.
Marie @ Naquaiya Cards.
Michele | July 08, 2011
Congratulations On Recieving Design Of The Day..I included you on my blog..awesome cards! http://www.sendfromsitecards.blogspot.com
Janet Lee
Janet Lee
Janet | July 08, 2011
I love your illustrations, they are so cute - really inspirational! Good Luck at GCU! :)
Amanda Jorjorian
Amanda Jorjorian
Amanda | May 06, 2011
Love your creative talent! So very precious! You are going to be a big addition to GCU and everyone who gets your cards will be delighted! I've favorited several!
Trish | May 06, 2011
Congratulations Gerda! I saw your new card made Design of the Day and it's ADORABLE! Your cards are wonderful and you will do very well here!
Doreen | May 06, 2011
Gerda, your images are adorable!!
Thanks for your comments on my
"Creations from the Heart"!
Christie Black
Thanks for your comments on my
"Creations from the Heart"!
Christie Black
Christie | May 02, 2011
Nice work! Very cute cards! Best wishes for you and your store!
Amanda | April 25, 2011
I love your cards! Very well done :)
Jane | April 16, 2011
Hello! Your cards are adorable! Love the bug...SO sweet. And the fish..Cant choose, love them all.
Karen. Victorian Translations.
Karen. Victorian Translations.
KAREN | April 15, 2011


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Metal-on-metal hip replacement patients at no more risk of developing cancer in seven years following surgery
Longer term studies are required to assess risks after longer periods
Research: The risk of cancer in the first seven years after metal-on-metal hip replacement compared with other bearings and the general population: a linkage study between the National Joint Registry of England and Wales and Hospital Episode Statistics.
Patients who have had metal-on-metal hip replacements are no more likely to develop cancer in the first seven years after surgery than the general population, although a longer-term study is required, a study published on bmj.com today claims.
A recent BMJ and BBC Newsnight investigation looked into the potentially high level of toxic metals from failing hip implants which may, in future, affect thousands of people around the world. The investigation also looked at why these hip replacements were allowed despite the risks being known and documented for decades. The BMJ has a large collection of articles about the safety of medical devices which can be found here: http://www.bmj.com/article-clusters.
This study, commissioned by the National Joint Registry of England and Wales and carried out by authors from the Universities of Bristol and Exeter, looks at whether these concerns are valid. The registry contains records of over one million procedures from at least 97% of orthopaedic units. Every year registry data and hospital episode statistics are linked up to check how patients who have had joint replacements are faring.
In this study cancer rates in patients with metal-on-metal hip replacements were compared with both a group of patients who had other hip bearing surfaces implanted and the general population. Overall, 14% (40 576) of registered patients had some type of metal-on-metal bearing surface: 7% (21 264) had a stemmed metal-on-metal prosthesis and 7% (19 312) had a resurfacing procedure. The researchers compared patients' outcomes using mathematical modelling. The models included the age and sex of the patient as well as three measures of general health at the time of hip surgery (the American Society of Anaesthesiologists grade that scores the patient's other serious illnesses, the number of distinct diagnostic codes recorded at time of surgery, and the number of NHS funded admissions to hospital in the previous five years). The authors do say, however, that comparison with the general population is not straightforward as hip replacement patients "tend to be healthier than others of the same gender and age group".
Results show that the chance of a 60 year old man with moderate health and a metal-on-metal stemmed hip replacement being diagnosed with cancer in the five years following surgery is 6.2%, compared to 6.7% chance with hip replacement using other bearing surfaces. For women, these figures were 4.0% for metal-on-metal stemmed hip replacement and 4.4% for other bearing surfaces. Further results show that the incidence of cancer diagnosis is low after hip replacement and lower than that predicted for the age and sex matched general population.
The authors hope that this study will help clinicians reassure patients that the "risk of cancer for hip replacement patients is relatively low" with no evidence of an increase in cancer associated with metal-on-metal hips. They add though that this only shows results for up to seven years following surgery and the analysis of long-term data is required over the next few decades as some cancers take many years to develop.


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Updated 3:45 p.m. - Mitt Romney paid an effective tax rate of about 14 percent last year, his campaign said Friday while also announcing that the Republican presidential nominee had paid an average annual effective tax rate of about 20.2 percent between 1990 and 2009.
Romney made good on his pledge to release his tax returns from 2011 before the election, and went a step further than was previously anticipated in releasing a certified summary of his tax returns over a two-decade period preceding 2010.
View Romney's 2011 tax returns here
The Republican's campaign said Romney paid more than $1.9 million in taxes on income of about $13.7 million. That amounts to a 14.1 percent effective tax rate; the tax level is lower because most of the Romneys' income comes from investment, which is taxed at a lower rate than employment income.
Slideshow: On the campaign trail
Mitt and Ann Romney also donated about $4 million -- about 30 percent of their income -- to charity in 2011, though they only claimed a deduction of about $2.25 million from those donations, according to the campaign.
That means the Romneys voluntarily paid a higher tax rate than they were legally required, which the campaign said they did in order to stay consistent with Romney's pledge to never play less than a 13 percent tax rate.
"He has been clear that no American need pay more than he or she owes under the law," said spokeswoman Michele Davis. "At the same time, he was in the unique position of having made a commitment to the public that his tax rate would be above 13 percent. He directed his preparers to ensure that he is consistent with that statement."
The release of these documents add greater insight into Romney's immense personal fortune, but also looks to defuse criticism of Romney associated with his personal finances.
Recommended: Obama's battleground advantage grows
President Barack Obama and an array of Democrats have launched attacks on Romney, looking to turn him into the most prominent example of how wealthy Americans are able to use tax deductions and complex financial instruments to end up paying a lower effective tax rate than most Americans.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid -- a Democrat from Nevada, where Romney is coincidentally campaigning today -- went far further than that in making a repeated public allegation earlier this year that an anonymous source had told him that there were years in which Romney paid no taxes.
Throughout the summer, Democrats pummeled Romney over the issue of taxes as the Republican doggedly refused to release more than the 2010 and 2011 returns. (Last year's returns were delayed after the Romneys requested an extension on their filing.) Those attacks, which reprised much of the criticism of Romney leveled by fellow Republicans during the GOP presidential primary earlier this year, played a large role in negatively defining Romney, especially in swing states.
Recommended: Obama hits Romney on 47 percent: 'I don't see a lot of victims'
Friday's release of a notarized summary of the Romneys' taxes from 1990-2009 represents a stride toward undercutting that criticism, though, for Republicans, there is a high degree of fear that the damage on Romney's personal image might have already been achieved.
The Romney campaign said this summary, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers, would show that the Romneys owed state and federal income taxes every year (in direct contradiction of Reid's claim).
The letter, the campaign said, would show their average effective tax rate over that 20-year period was 20.20 percent, and there was no year in which the Romney's paid a lower effective federal personal tax rate than 13.66 percent.
Moreover, the Romney's gave an average 13.45 percent of their adjusted gross income to charity each year.
Adding to today's level of disclosure, the Romney also released physician letters for Romney and Ryan, which reflected both candidates' excellent state of health.
Recommended: Boehner: Romney suffering in Ohio from GOP governor's success
It is unclear whether the release of these documents will fully quell Democratic criticism of Romney. While the Obama campaign will be able to pore over another year's worth of returns, they might not shed insight into what particular instruments the Romneys used to achieve their yearly tax rate. Democrats, for instance, have speculated that Romney might have taken advantage of offshore tax shelters in the Cayman Islands, a claim that might not be substantiated by today's release.
The Romneys' low effective tax rate could threaten to renew Obama's use of the so-called "Buffett Rule" on the campaign trail. That rule represents the principle, named after billionaire Warren Buffett, that those earning more than $1 million per year should pay a minimum effective tax rate of 30 percent.


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9 Things You Can Do to Live a Happier Life, According to Science
We all know what we can do to live a happier life, but when those claims are backed up by science, we tend to take them more seriously. After all, if it's been poked and prodded at by scientists, the findings definitely sound like they have more validity. It's up to you to figure out what works for you, but these strategies are worth trying! Here are some things that will increase your life satisfaction, according to studies:
- Watch less TV: Unhappy people spend more time watching TV, according to a study in the Social Indicators Research journal.
- Get older: If you're dreading the white hairs and health drawbacks of aging, know that there's a silver lining. More studies are showing that happiness increases after middle age.
- Plan a vacation: Researchers found that it's the planning of a vacation and not the actual trip itself that increases happiness in people. Perhaps the anticipation of getting away from the daily grind causes us to grin more than when we're actually on the beach without a worry in sight.
- Change it up: Even if you're doing something that makes you happy, the joy may wear off if it becomes routine. Change things up every once in a while. For example, give your current hobby a break and take up a new one.
- Be around happy people: Happiness is apparently infectious, according to a study in the British journal BMJ, so surround yourself with positive people. That doesn't mean you should break up with your Debbie Downer friends, say the researchers. You can help spread happiness by doing things to improve their lives.
- Enjoy nature: Viewing greenery gives your brain a mental break, while city living can stress you out. Take the time to visit a nearby park or garden to take in nature's beauty and boost your happiness at the same time.
- Do cultural activities: Go to the museum this weekend and get cultured. A study in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health found men who take part in cultural activities are more happy and satisfied versus those who don't.
- Own pets: A furry friend will increase your self-esteem, feeling of belonging, and meaning of your existence, says a study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Quite a tall order for such compact creatures.
- Do charity work and volunteer: Doing good for society has its perks. People who give away their money to charity or volunteer tend to be more satisfied, according to a study published in the journal Science.


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176 South St., Hopkinton, MA 01748
(508) 435-1000
Ticker: EMC
Exchange: NYSE
Employees: 17,400
Mark S. Lewis
Executive Vice President, Open Software Operations
Oversees all storage management software products. Joined EMC in 2002 from HP, where he was VP/GM of Compaq's Enterprise Storage Group.
Chris Gahagan
Senior VP, Storage Infrastructure Software
Responsible for development of EMC's storage software products. Before joining EMC was VP and GM of BMC Software's enterprise systems management business unit.
Peter C. Conway
Vice President, Open Software Management
Oversees development, integration and release of new software products. Joined EMC in 2002 from Microsoft.
Storage area network management, storage resource management, storage monitoring and reporting tools. Includes native tools specifically for EMC devices, such as the SnapView file system recording tools. Also heterogeneous tools such as SAN Manager.
Remember Cracker Jack prizes? They aren't the highest quality toys, but they come right in the box of that candied popcornand they're free.
That's how some companies view EMC's ControlCenter storage management software: It's not the best, but then again, it's not the most expensive.
Some contend it lacks features compared with offerings from Veritas, IBM and others.
While EMC has made ControlCenter more user-friendly, some customers say it's not friendly enough: They still must jump between screens to administer storage management and backup. Another gripe: ontrolCenter lacks powerful scripting tools to customize the software.
Still, customers say EMC software is less expensive because it's bundled with the company's market-leading hardware. And by their accounts, EMC has been willing to discount the software as much as 20% when bundled with EMC hardware.
"Our decision came down to economics," says Rebecca Naughton of biotech company Incyte Corp., which 18 months ago installed ControlCenter along with EMC hardware.
Another customer, JetBlue, also uses both EMC hardware and software. CIO Jeff Cohen likens the decision to buying integrated desktop applications from Microsoft rather than getting each application separately. "It's a total-cost-of-ownership thing."
Yet some EMC customers, such as Rockwell Collins, still buy storage software from multiple vendors. They say that products like ControlCenter may not support some non-EMC devices automatically or as well as the software from the device's own manufacturer.
Rockwell Collins turned to other software to manage network-attached storage from Network Appliance as well as storage attached to longtime departmental systems. The reason? The company hasn't had time to test EMC's software for the Network Appliance devices, says Rockwell's Ed Malamut. But he still expects that one day he'll be able to use EMC to manage storage across multiple hardware devices. "Our vision is that, in the not-too-distant future, we will have one view of, and one way to manage, everything we have."
And that's worth more than a free prize.


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City, 22 November 2013 (VIS) – The Congregation for the Oriental
Churches today concluded its plenary session, held from 19 to 22
November, which focused on the balance of conciliar ideas regarding
the Catholic East fifty years after Vatican Council II.
harmonious climate in which work was carried out was unanimously
appreciated, according to a communique issued by the dicastery. The
synodal experience, profoundly rooted in the oriental tradition, was
demonstrated to be a fruitful working method. Appreciation was
expressed for the beauty of conciliar ecclesiology and the value of
diversity in unity, also underlining that the recognition of the
apostolic origin is a theological and juridical affirmation. A
further theme was the migratory phenomenon, which represents a
challenge as it poses serious problems for the situation of
Christians in the Middle East, harshly penalised by the effects of
the war in Iraq and by the current conflict in Syria, without
forgetting the unresolved Israeli-Palestinian question and Egypt's
troubled rebirth as a pluralist nation.
further problem is that the full dignity of the heads of the
patriarchal and the major archiepiscopal Churches, also known as
'Fathers', requires that they are considered as such wherever their
'sons' may be, nowadays well beyond the borders considered to be
their own, and with their own respective traditions and discipline.
Alongside the significant representation of the Latin archbishops who
are are also ordinaries for the Oriental faithful without their own
hierarchy, specific ecclesial administrative structures must be
considered and progressively developed. The ecumenical dimension must
always be maintained, assuming a fruitful attitude of authentic
brotherhood and patient reconciliation, without however penalising
those who by their existence bear daily witness that one may be in
communion with the Bishop of Rome, recognising his primacy, without
renouncing one's one method of governance and of living the mystery
of the liturgy.
the plenary reiterated that the Catholic East is committed to
ensuring that interreligious dialogue is lived as a daily experience
in the countries of the Middle East.


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[Valentin] bought a small battery-powered cube speaker with a built-in amp some time ago, but didn't have much patience for replacing or recharging the batteries. It sat on the shelf for awhile until he decided to revive an old MP3 player he had sitting around.
He gutted a pair of solar garden lamps, retaining the solar panels, the built-in charging circuits, as well as the included rechargeable batteries. The MP3 player was disassembled, and its components were built into the speaker enclosure. The player's buttons were relocated to the outer shell of the speaker box with a few pieces of wire, allowing him to easily control his music without having to build in a method for opening the case. Both the speaker and the MP3 player are powered by the batteries salvaged from the solar lamps, which is why he opted to mount both of the solar panels on the the side of the speaker enclosure rather than just one.
We like it even though the speaker looks a bit rough at the moment, especially where the MP3 player's buttons were transplanted. After a few minutes of touch-up work however, it'll look great.
If you're interested in some more solar hacks, check out this solar-powered junkbot, these solar toys for kids, and this solar-powered WiFi repeater we featured in the past.


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(visited by Kobus de la Porte)
19-Mar-2007 -- Continued from 25S 20E.
The 25S 18E confluence lies in Namaland, a large communal farming area between Keetmanshoop and Mariental.
I followed the C18 from Gochas towards Witbooisvlei and then the D1068 towards Mariental. Twenty kilometers down the road I came across an intersection. From this point onwards I had to follow tracks into this vast communal land. The local Nama people from the villages were friendly and very helpful.
About 3 kilometers from the Confluence and 6 kilometers from the nearest village I came across Jacobus Novaseb, one of the communal farmers. After I had explained to him the reason for my visit, he gave me permission to locate the Confluence but warned me that I would probably have to walk at least 2 kilometers to the Confluence because of the rocky terrain.
Failure was not an option - so out came the hiking boots, sun screen, hat, small backpack, and one liter of water.
I managed to pin point the Confluence near a dry riverbed.


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Global Effort Needed To Protect People From Species-Crossing Diseases, Report Finds
A team of health experts on Tuesday called for the U.S. "to lead a global effort to protect people from new outbreaks of deadly infectious diseases that originate in animals, such as swine flu, AIDS and SARS," Reuters writes (Morgan, 9/22).
The appeal comes as a U.S. Institute of Medicine and the National Research Council report concluded that "significant weaknesses undermine the global community's abilities to prevent, detect early, and respond efficiently to potentially deadly species-crossing microbes, such as the pandemic H1N1 influenza virus sweeping the globe," according to a National Academies press release. The report also notes, "species-jumping pathogens have caused more than 65 percent of infectious disease outbreaks in the past six decades."
"Zoonotic diseases are like wildfires, which flare up unexpectedly and can take a significant toll on human and animal health and damage household livelihoods as well as national economies. All too often, our reaction to these outbreaks has been to try containing a wildfire after it has gotten out of control," Marguerite Pappaioanou, executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges, said in the release. "We need a system that enables us to prevent the conditions for these disease flare-ups to occur in the first place and to spot them earlier when we can take more effective and measured actions to limit the damage" (9/22).
"The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) should be among the federal government agencies that lead efforts to develop a worldwide system, said the authors of the report, who developed a detailed plan for establishing and funding a comprehensive system to identify new zoonotic disease threats as early as possible in order to reduce the risk to humans and the impact on livestock," HealthDay News/MSN reports (Preidt, 9/22).
Though "[a] fully integrated global system could cost about $800 million a year to maintain," the authors note that the cost "is a relatively small sum compared with the $200 billion in economic losses caused by species-jumping viruses and other pathogens over the past decade," Reuters writes (9/22).
HealthDay News/MSN adds: "'Developing an effective global system for detecting and responding to emerging zoonotic diseases is a tall order,' report committee co-chair Gerald T. Keusch, who focuses on global health at Boston University's School of Public Health said in the news release. 'However, given the political will and financial resources that have been marshaled time and again to respond to the individual 'disease du jour' as each has arisen, we believe it is possible to implement a sustainable, integrated human and veterinary disease surveillance system that is acceptable to all stakeholders. And we must do so now,' Keusch said" (9/22).
The KFF Daily Global Health Policy Report summarized news and information on global health policy from hundreds of sources, from May 2009 through December 2020. All summaries are archived and available via search.


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If you are having trouble getting MobiLinc on your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad to connect to your SmartLinc here are some troubleshooting steps to try:
1. Using your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad verify that it is connected to your Wi-Fi network and can reach the internet.
2. Using Safari, navigate to the following website: http://smartlinc.smarthome.com
3. Tap on "I'm at home"
4. Tap on your SmartLinc's IP address.
5. Log into your smartlinc and verify you can control your devices.
If any of the above steps fail, try the following:
1. Find your SmartLinc device and unplug it from the wall outlet. Wait 2 minutes.
2. Verify that the SmartLinc's network cable is plugged directly in to the network router.
3. Plug your SmartLinc device back into the wall outlet. Wait 5 minutes.
4. Try steps 1-5 from above to connect to your SmartLinc from your iPhone/iPod touch/iPad.
If you are still unable to connect to your SmartLinc, a factory reset may be required. Please contact SmartHome for assistance.
NOTE: For security reasons, MobiLinc requires that the SmartLinc be setup with a username and password. Please configure your SmartLinc with a username and password prior to proceeding.
If you are able to communicate and control your SmartLinc from the website perform the following:
1. Close Safari and launch MobiLinc. If this is the first time launching MobiLinc, MobiLinc will search for your SmartLinc device by contacting the website http://smartlinc.smarthome.com.
2. If MobiLinc is successful, MobiLinc will ask for your username and password to your SmartLinc device. Please enter your username and password.
3. MobiLinc will download all rooms, scenes, thermostat, and devices from your SmartLinc and begin asking for status on all your devices/scenes.
4. Start using MobiLinc!
If this isn't the first time running MobiLinc and you want to connect MobiLinc to your SmartLinc, tap on "My Settings"->"Lighting Controller" (the Wrench icon) in MobiLinc and enter in your SmartLinc's username, password, IP address, and port information from http://smartlinc.smarthome.com into the "Local http://" and "Local Port" fields of MobiLinc. Once the username, password, IP, and Port information is entered, tap on "Tap to Sync with SmartLinc".
If you are still unable to connect to your SmartLinc, a factory reset may be required. Please contact SmartHome for assistance.
SmartLinc Factory Reset Procedure: http://wiki.smarthome.com/index.php?title=Restoring_SmartLinc_to_its_Factory_Default_Settings
If MobiLinc can successfully sync with the SmartLinc controller but is experiencing communication problems during startup or the network busy indicator is spinning indefinitely, please visit the forum, Troubleshooting SmartLinc and MobiLinc Part 2:


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Simon the Magician: The Peril of Pursuing Greatness
Missionary to India, William Carey, once exhorted a Baptist gathering in England by saying, "Expect great things from God; attempt great things for God." I love that quote. We don't want to squander our lives on trivial, unimportant pursuits. But we must heed the Bible's warning in Acts 8: if we attempt great things so that others will see us as great, we are in grave spiritual peril.
After Stephen had been brutally stoned to death, intense persecution broke out against the Christians in Jerusalem. Many were driven off to the towns and villages of Judea and Samaria.
At the time, few likely saw these horrible events as a means Jesus was using to fulfill his word: "…you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria" (Acts 1:8). This is good for us to remember. The last phrase of that verse, "and to the end of the earth," has not yet been completed. We don't need to lose heart when the world's hostility towards Christians increases. Jesus will not lose. Every time the world tries to stamp out the gospel, the gospel spreads.
Philip, Stephen's co-servant to the Hellenistic widows, headed to Samaria and preached and performed signs and wonders in a city there. Large numbers of Samaritans professed faith and were baptized. A man named Simon was one of them.
Simon was a local celebrity. He was a magician of sorts, and had mesmerized the locals with his arts. And they had given him the title The Great Power of God. And he loved it. He basked in his reputation and fed off the admiration and respect he received.
But when Philip arrived, the game changed. The gospel Philip preached and the signs he performed were beyond Simon's abilities. Simon watched with covetous awe as the real, great power of God flowed through Philip.
Then Peter and John showed up from Jerusalem. And when they prayed, people were filled with the Holy Spirit. This drew even more crowds. Everyone was talking about them. Everyone was mesmerized by them (or so it seemed to Simon).
No one was mesmerized by Simon anymore. He was a has-been, a diminishing star. And like many who have once experienced the euphoric drug of other people's adoration, he wanted that rush again. If he could somehow get this Jesus power, then once again he could be great. Once again people would hold him in awe. He was willing to pay a high price for that drug.
So at a discreet moment, he approached Peter and John with a proposition. If they would let him in on the secret they possessed, if they would share their power with him, a small fortune in silver would be theirs and no one would ever know.
In a split second Simon knew he had miscalculated. Peter's eyes seemed to burn right into his heart. And then Peter's words seemed to slice him open:
May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could obtain the gift of God with money! You have neither part nor lot in this matter, for your heart is not right before God. Repent, therefore, of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that, if possible, the intent of your heart may be forgiven you. For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bond of iniquity. (Acts 8:20-23)
Simon cringed and said meekly, "Pray for me to the Lord, that nothing of what you have said will come upon me."
* * *
Peter's words to Simon were not merely harsh. They were full of mercy. The love of self-glory is an extremely dangerous cancer of the soul and is spiritually fatal if not addressed. This cancer requires a straightforward, serious diagnosis. Both Peter and John had been beneficiaries of the Great Physician's graciously severe rebukes. Maybe Simon would repent and be delivered.
The Bible does not tell us if he did. Early church literature suggests that Simon later became a heretic, which, if true, means he tragically ignored Peter's warning.
But God does not want us to ignore the warning. This account is in the Bible so that we will remember that God's power is not a commodity to be traded. It's not a means for us to pursue our own greatness or wealth.
We can all relate to Simon. We are all tempted to pursue our own glory, even in the work of the kingdom. When we recognize that familiar craving we need to deal severely with it. We must confess it (often to others, not just God), repent, and resist. Because if left alone, it can develop into a spiritual cancer that can blind us to real glory, and may ultimately kill us.
So, let us expect great things from God and attempt great things for God. But let us take Peter's advice and do so "by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 4:11).
Trusting with you the God who opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble,
Jon Bloom
Executive Director
P.S. This month our featured message is titled, "Simon's Perversion of Signs and Wonders." This sermon by John Piper further unpacks the story of Simon the Magician and draws out some other very helpful applications.
If you are able to support us this month, your gift will be invested to give others around the world access to nourishing, doctrinally sound resources free online. Thank you for prayerfully considering this.


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See more photos at http://t.co/LlgVizvo2w
Lynas thwarts critics' attempts to alert shareholders to risks in Gebeng plant
BY TRINNA LEONG from the malaysian insider
Australian mining firm Lynas today thwarted efforts by environmental group Save Malaysia Stop Lynas (SMSL) to alert shareholders to the risks posed by its refinery plant in Gebeng, Pahang.
"One shareholder urged the board to allow us to share with the others what's happening in Malaysia but it was denied," SMSL chairman Tan Bun Teet told The Malaysian Insider after the company's annual general meeting at its headquarters in Sydney.
"When questions were raised asking for more information, the chair conveniently forgot about it," he said.
Tan said questions related to the refinery in Malaysia were brushed aside, with former Lynas chairman Nicholas Curtis limiting the topics that could be discussed during the meeting.
"Our questions to the board were either partly answered or totally ignored," he said.
"The entire meeting was orchestrated to keep shareholders under-informed."
The RM2.5 billion plant near Kuantan has been mired in controversies over concerns that the processing of rare earth ores from Australia would have a disastrous impact on the health of some 700,000 people within a less than 30km radius of the facility.
A report published by German think-thank Oeko Institute earlier this year highlighted the plant's failure to prepare a safe disposal facility. The plant's poor waste management system also remains a cause for concern as residents fear that radioactive leakages may occur.
SMSL, together with another NGO, Himpunan Hijau, sent several representatives to Sydney this week to attend the firm's meeting. The groups had wanted to pressure the company's board of directors to close its Pahang plant by encouraging its shareholders to stop backing the company.
"We told the shareholders that the road ahead for Lynas will not be smooth sailing with millions to be paid in litigation costs from anti-Lynas campaigns," Tan said.
Tan said it was clear shareholders were not happy with Lynas's performance after doing poorly on the Australian bourse the past year.
Lynas's shares have been on the decline since January, sliding from $0.72 (RM2.11) to $0.30 (RM0.88) today, according to data from Bloomberg.
The company has been suffering financially after prices of rare earth fell over the past few months while operational delays at the Gebeng plant also placed a strain on its budget.
Tan also said Lynas was tight-lipped on its strategies to bounce back next year and the firm could not even promise to meet its target production of 11,000 tonnes in 2014.
"Instead of answering questions on how Lynas could meet its target production of 11,000 tonnes in the first quarter next year, Nick only informed shareholders that the plant will produce according to market needs. There was no elaboration on how the company is going to turn around financially in 2014," he said.
"Most shareholders left even before the meeting was over," he added.
Outside Lynas's headquarters, several NGOs had gathered, including Australian anti-Lynas groups, SMSL and Himpunan Hijau, to urge shareholders to stop backing firms with bad practices abroad.
"Many people don't realise how serious the activities of Australian mining companies overseas are, and their ability to get away with a flagrant disregard for people, the environment and the law," said Thulsi Narayanasamy, director of independent watchdog Aidwatch. - November 29, 2013.
Tan said questions related to the refinery in Malaysia were brushed aside, with former Lynas chairman Nicholas Curtis limiting the topics that could be discussed during the meeting.


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Bed bugs are some of the worst pests that can find their way into your home. Not only do they bite, but as their name implies, they usually make their home in your bed, a place where you should be able to relax.
These insects can show up any time of year, but August and September are the prime months because so many people are returning from summer vacation, where they pick up these nasty critters. If you're struggling with a bed bug problem, a new mattress can give you peace of mind once you've banished them from your home.
But you don't have to have bed bugs to decide that a new mattress is in order. Whether it's pests, damaged coils or compressed foam, your mattress can take a beating over time, so it's typically time for a new mattress every seven to 10 years.
Are you in the market for a new mattress? Check out these comfortable, supportive mattresses for every budget that can be the perfect replacement for a bed that needs updating.
Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Mattress
This memory foam mattress is infused with green tea and activated charcoal to help you feel fresh and clean all night. The Zinus mattress features a breathable knitted cover over three layers of foam to provide comfortable support. Best of all, it comes in four heights, so you can choose the firmness you need. Sold by Amazon
This foam Casper mattress is designed for sleepers who want adequate support and cooling action. The perforated foam allows for better airflow while you sleep, while the base layer prevents sinking and sagging. It also has a zippered, eco-friendly cover that's easy to take off when it's time to wash. Sold by Amazon and Wayfair
This foam mattress features a quilted cooling cover and gel-infused memory foam to keep you cool while sleeping. It also minimizes motion transfer, so you won't wake up when your partner rolls over. It's backed by a 365-night home trial, too. Sold by Nectar
This memory gel foam mattress provides excellent support for all sleeping positions. It also reduces motion transfer, so it's an ideal option for couples. The gel-infused foam helps keep you cool during the night, too. Sold by Amazon
This organic, natural latex mattress doesn't contain any polyurethane foam or other harmful chemicals, making it one of the most eco-friendly models on the market. It also provides medium-firm support ideal for side, back and stomach sleepers. It's backed by a 25-year warranty, too. Sold by Birch Living
This comfortable, medium-firm mattress features a combination of gel memory foam and non-allergenic aerated-latex foam, so even warm sleepers stay cool. The foam cushioning can help relieve hip and back pain and ease joint stiffness. Sold by Amazon
This hybrid mattress offers six support layers, including four layers of foam and a contour-adapt coil base. It provides pressure relief throughout the body, so it's an excellent option if you have back pain. The stain-resistant cover is also removable, so it's easy to clean. Sold by Puffy
This unique memory foam mattress has over 1,400 air channels built in, so it keeps you at a comfortable temperature all night long. It's also made of safe hypoallergenic materials. The GelFlex grid design offers excellent support and readjusts instantly when you move. Sold by Amazon
With medium firmness that isn't too hard or too soft, this mattress is perfect for couples with different preferences. It provides targeted pressure point relief to make you more comfortable while you sleep. Its middle layers also offer excellent support for side sleepers and those who tend to toss and turn. Sold by Helix
Dreamcloud Luxury Hybrid Mattress
Featuring individually wrapped coils, this mattress can support any body shape and sleeping style. It also has a pressure relief gel memory foam layer and a soft, quilted cover. Best of all, it works with multiple bed frame types, so you can use it with your existing frame. Sold by Dreamcloud
With three zones of high-quality foam, this mattress helps your body maintain a neutral position throughout the night. That allows it to relieve pressure on your shoulders and hips, so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep. It's protected by a lifetime warranty, too. Sold by Level Sleep
This mattress offers a combination of premium cooling and contouring foams, so you're comfortable and supported all night. It also features more than a thousand pocket springs that respond easily to movement and provide additional support. It works for back, side and stomach sleepers, too. Sold by Leesa
Casper Sleep Wave Hybrid Mattress
This luxurious mattress has ergonomic zones with gel pods that keep your spine perfectly aligned while sleeping. The base also contains resilient springs that increase airflow and support. The eco-friendly cover is made from recycled bottles, too. Sold by Amazon
This hybrid innerspring mattress provides plush cushioning that relieves pressure and enough support to keep your back aligned. It also has a breathable, organic cotton cover and dual-coil design to help direct heat away from your body. You can even choose from multiple firmness levels, depending on your preference. Sold by Saatva
Nectar Premier Copper Mattress
If you're never cool enough while you sleep well, this copper-infused mattress is for you. It offers a dual-action cooling cover and gel-infused memory foam that reacts to your body temperature to ward off the heat. It also provides effective support for stomach, back and side sleepers. Sold by Amazon
This luxury Tempur-Pedic mattress is designed to keep you up to 8 degrees cooler when you sleep. It also features special foam material that helps relieve pressure on the shoulder, back and hips. It's an excellent option for couples, too, because it offers advanced motion-absorbing abilities to ensure your sleep isn't disturbed. Sold by Tempur-Pedic
Tuft and Needle Hybrid Mattress
Featuring adaptive foam and bouncy springs, this Tuft and Needle mattress offers both superior support and comfort. The pocketed springs target your pressure points and help limit motion when your partner turns. The cooling ceramic gel, heat-conducting graphite and layered coils improve airflow and keep you from getting hot, too. Sold by Amazon
This mattress uses proprietary materials to provide top-notch support and pressure relief. It offers a medium-firm feel and responds to your weight, shape and temperature to ensure you're always comfortable. It's backed by a 10-year warranty, too. Sold by Tempur-Pedic
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Jennifer Blair writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.


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Taylor Lautner may become boy-toy hero 'Max Steel'
This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.
As Taylor Lautner's Hollywood profile surges, his handlers are looking for a project for the teen wolf to sink his teeth into next. One strong possibility: "Max Steel," a Paramount movie about a teenage superhero.
The actor's representatives at WME and Management 360 are brainstorming about the next move for the 17-year-old Michigan native who plays Jacob in the 'Twilight' franchise. Lautner emerged as the big winner after the blockbuster success of 'The Twilight Saga: New Moon' but, at the moment, his only other big-screen appearance on deck is a character role in Garry Marshall's ensemble romantic comedy "Valentine's Day." That movie has wrapped, so Lautner has a relatively open calendar.
Paramount, meanwhile, is eager to develop more toy properties along the lines of its "Transformers" and "G.I. Joe" franchises. Like those films, "Steel" traces back to the toy shelf -- the Mattel line that hit stores in 2001, pulled in $100 million in worldwide business in its first year and spawned an animated series that lasted three seasons.
Lautner would play Josh McGrath, a 19-year-old extreme-sports athlete who is accidentally exposed to the unleashed power of nanotechological machines, which become part of him and (in the old show, at least) give him increased strength, near-invulnerability and the ability to change his appearance.
It's worth noting that Paramount and other studios are eager to cast Lautner because he can bring young women into theaters -- always a positive for any action picture.
J.P. Lavin and Chad Damiani are on board to write (they're also writing the screenplay for the Warner Bros. superhero action movie "Capeshooters," based on the Rob Liefeld comic book, as well as the Liefeld property 'Youngblood'). The script for 'Steel' is still being written, which means it could be a while before Lautner actually is seen onscreen in even the most favorable of circumstances. (Paramount and WME declined comment.)
For now, Lautner can continue to draft off his 'New Moon' success: Next week he completes a pop-culture rite of passage by hosting 'Saturday Night Live' [Dec. 12].
-- Steven Zeitchik
'New Moon' premiere shines in Westwood
Taylor Lautner on Pattinson: 'Sadly, we don't hate each other'
L.A. TIMES REVIEW: 'New Moon' not as good as first film
'Twilight' producer: Lautner is going to blow people away with his acting
'New Moon' and 'Lawrence of Arabia'? Let Chris Weitz explain
'Twilight' screenwriter says second film is better
Stephenie Meyer and the future of 'Midnight Sun'
Robert Pattinson talks about his career 'backup plan'
UPDATE: An earlier version of this post gave the wrong date for the 'SNL' show.


text: House Speaker Greg Stumbo says his chamber's priorities for the next two-year budget are not that different from the senate's.Both chambers have passed their own budget bills for each branch of state government. The two sides must now work out a compromise. Stumbo says he doesn't have many concerns with the Senate's changes and he expects a conference committee to hatch a compromise quickly."We may have approached it a different manner but at least we're addressing the issues and if that's the case we ought to be able to come to some middle ground to formulate a budget," he says.Senate President David Williams wanted to start the conference committee today, but Stumbo expects the committee to meet Monday and get a compromise to the chambers by Thursday."Staff will be working with them through the weekend, staff will be working with the governor's office, and staff will be communicating as they review the budget. We didn't get the Senate document until late last night, we actually haven't gotten it officially here yet," Stumbo says. Stumbo says a budget could pass by Friday. If that happens, it will be the first time in years that lawmakers have passed a budget on time.


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Estimated read time: 5-6 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
HOUSTON (AP) - Day after day, Adonias Arevalo tried to calm his parents' nerves, attempting to convince them it was safe for him to apply for government-subsidized health insurance through the nation's new coverage system.
Like many other immigrants, Arevalo's parents worried that personal information on their son's application could somehow draw immigration authorities' attention to the couple, who emigrated here illegally from El Salvador seven years ago.
After a week of discussion, the 22-year-old Houston man, who works at a community center and has temporary legal status, finally eased their fears. But other immigrant families remain leery, and some are so concerned that they would rather see loved ones go without coverage than risk giving personal information to a federal agency.
"They are afraid," Arevalo said. "The majority of families, they know it's something they need to do. ... They're just afraid of putting themselves out like that."
Immigrants who are in the U.S. illegally cannot participate in the system. But many have eligible relatives who are citizens or legal residents.
Since the system debuted in October, immigrant advocates and the federal government have been working to reassure families that their information will not be shared with enforcement agencies. The effort has led to changes in the main health care website and a memo from immigration authorities promising not to go after anyone based on insurance paperwork.
Immigrant families are important to the success of the health care overhaul, especially in Texas, which has the nation's highest rate of uninsured people, many of whom are immigrants.
Of the nearly 40 million people living in the U.S. who were born elsewhere, about a third do not have health insurance, according to census data. And about 9 million people in the U.S. belong to immigrant families in which at least one child is a citizen, according to the Pew Research Center's Hispanic Trends Project.
Those immigrant families, which tend to be younger and healthy, are attractive to the health care program because it relies on young participants to pay premiums to help fund coverage for older people who need more expensive care.
In Houston's Harris County, where more than a quarter of the 4 million residents are foreign-born, the group Enroll America is trying to soothe anxieties that signing up for insurance could mean risking deportation.
"It has pushed people away from wanting to apply online," said Mario Castillo, who leads the group's efforts in the Houston area. "They don't want to type that into a computer ... they want to put a paper application in."
Cheryl O'Donnell, state director of Enroll America in Arizona, said her staff is confronting similar concerns.
"There is a lot of fear, particularly if the noncitizen is applying for a citizen child," she said.
In mid-October, three weeks after enrollment opened, President Barack Obama's administration stepped in. Immigration and Customs Enforcement published a "clarification" designed to assuage fears. The memo explained that information obtained through health care registration would not be used to pursue immigration cases against anyone in the country illegally.
Jenny Rejeske, a health policy analyst at the National Immigration Law Center, said advocates had shared with the government concerns they heard from mixed-status families.
Advocates had sought that clarification for years, but it wasn't until federal officials "saw that this was going to be a deterrent for people applying that they decided to do something about it," Rejeske said.
Around the same time, a new page appeared on healthcare.gov titled "What do immigrant families need to know about the marketplace?" Under a heading for mixed-status families, it states: "Family members who aren't applying for health coverage for themselves won't be asked if they have eligible immigration status."
It also said that applying to the insurance marketplace, Medicaid or the children's program known as CHIP will not mean immigrants are considered a "public charge," addressing a long-held concern that accepting a government benefit could jeopardize their chance of getting legal status or becoming a naturalized citizen.
That guidance was also worked into training for "navigators" assigned to help people enroll in the marketplace.
Esmeralda Carreon, a Texas navigator working in communities near the border with Mexico, said she explains to families that while information will be shared with the immigration agency to verify eligibility, it will not bring agents to their door.
Already with Medicaid and CHIP "we have a lot of parents who are not legal," Carreon said. "And nobody has come to their houses and told them anything because the services are for those children."
Increasing participation in those other programs in recent years suggests mixed-status families could be overcoming some of their fears, said Genevieve Kenney, a principal research associate in the Health Policy Center of the Urban Institute.
Among the nation's uninsured children _ regardless of immigration status _ 65 percent are eligible for Medicaid or CHIP but are not enrolled.
Arevalo, who applied for insurance after talking to his parents, works as a community resources specialist at a community center run by Neighborhood Centers Inc. He moved to the U.S. from El Salvador when he was 14 and received permission in March to stay in the country for two years through a program offered by Obama to some immigrants who were brought into the country illegally as children.
His new job puts him at an income too high to qualify for a tax subsidy in the health care marketplace, though he would also be ineligible due to his deferred immigration status. Instead, he will have to buy a basic insurance plan through his employer for about 20 percent of his monthly salary.
But to learn that, he first had to apply for coverage, and persuading his parents his application wouldn't jeopardize them was a significant hurdle.
"There was a little fear that this is like telling the government, `Hey we're here and we're undocumented,'" he said.
Sherman can be followed on Twitter at https://twitter.com/chrisshermanAP.
Plushnick-Masti can be followed on Twitter at https://twitter.com/RamitMastiAP.
(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)


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China's Internet went into an uproar after an unwanted newborn was discovered flushed down a toilet in an eastern Chinese city. Netizens poured invective on the mother, but the rage has softened as more details have emerged of her particular plight.
"Human-flesh searches" — the term for mass acts of online Chinese vigilantism — fill the void left by the country's censorship policies, dubious legal system and cronyism. Netizens share information about individuals suspected of shameful acts to eventually identify those responsible and bring about some loosely defined form of justice. Government officials accused of corruption are particularly valued prey, and those caught are ridiculed, ostracized or even prosecuted. But critics warn that tens of thousands of anonymous Web users spreading gossip, rumor and innuendo is merely mob justice for the 21st century — virtual tar and feathers without courts of appeal or the right to due process. Nevertheless, these campaigns are extraordinarily powerful, and even the whiff of corruption or impropriety is typically enough for jobs to be lost and lives ruined.


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August 31st, 2009: The Longest Poem In The World takes the latest Twitter posts and combines them into rhyming couplets. Some of them are solid gold, you guys!
"Pizza, wine, and jeopardy - it doesn't get much better than this. / Think it's time to pull out my wedding album and reminisce. :-)"
"Get chaz and carl back together!!!!! / and what is up with this weather?"
I mentioned this on my LJ over the weekend we posted some amazing ones there too:
"You are my rock, my strength and my salvation / Whoa! Stop and Shop has a gas station?!" – Ryan